Union Minister H.N. Ananth Kumar, who was handling the Parliamentary Affairs, and the Chemicals and Fertilizers portfolios, passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru early on Monday. He was 59.
The senior BJP leader from Karnataka was diagnosed with lung cancer at an advanced stage in June. He breathed his last at 2 am on Monday with his wife and daughters beside him.
Karnataka government has declared three-day official mourning and Mr. Kumar will be accorded state funeral on Tuesday.
Last rites to be performed tomorrow
The last rites of Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, who passed away here Monday, would be performed on Tuesday afternoon, Karnataka BJP said.
The mortal remains of Kumar would be placed at his residence in Basavanagudifor the entire day today, state BJP General Secretary N RaviKumar said in a statement.
He said, by 8 AM on Tuesday, it would be taken to Jagannath Bhavan, BJP state office at Malleshwaram, where arrangements would be made for party workers and his followersto pay their last respects.
Kumar’s body would then be taken to National College Ground in the city for public to pay their respects, and the last rites would be performed at 1 PM at Chjamarajapete crematorium, the statement added.
Fadnavis, Chavan pay tributes
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and state Congress president Ashok Chavan paid tributes to Union Minister Ananth Kumar.
Fadnavis said he was “shocked and deeply pained” by Kumar’s “untimely” demise.
“His contribution towards society, service to the people will be remembered forever. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, followers, karyakarta,” the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said in a tweet.
Senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan also took to the micro-blogging site to express grief over Kumar’s death.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Union Minister, Shri Ananth Kumarji. My condolences to his family & friends.
May his soul rest in peace,” the former chief minister of Maharashtra tweeted.
Mamata, Pinarayi condole Ananth Kumar’s death
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday expressed her deep grief over the passing away of Union minister Ananth Kumar.
“Saddened at the passing away of Ananth Kumar ji, six time MP and Union Cabinet minister. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and supporters,” Banerjee wrote in her Twitter handle this morning.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the death of Union Minister Ananth Kumar, who passed away Monday in Bengaluru.
“Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Union Minister Shri.Ananth Kumar. My deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends and colleagues,” Vijayan said in a tweet.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi also offered condolences to Kumar’s family and prayed for peace to the departed soul.
“I’m sorry to hear about the passing of Union Minister, Shri Ananth Kumar ji, in Bengaluru, earlier this morning. My condolences to his family & friends. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti,” he tweeted.
Mallikarjun Kharge mourns
Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has expressed deep grief over the death of Union Minister Ananth Kumar.
With the death of Ananth Kumar, the Indian political scene has lost a valuable politician, he said
"He has been a Member of Parliament for six terms and a Union Minister in three governments. As Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, he was always focused on his job and managed the debates with a smile," Mr. Kharge stated.
Noting that the people of Karnataka are grief stricken with his death, Mr. Kharge said he prays that may God grant peace to his soul and the strength to his family to overcome grief.
Expressing his condolences, President Ramnath Kovind said the death of Kumar was a tragic loss to public life in the country.
“Sad to hear of the passing of Union minister and veteran parliamentarian Shri H.N. Ananth Kumar. This is a tragic loss to public life in our country and particularly for the people of Karnataka. My condolences to his family, colleagues and countless associates,” he tweeted.
VP condoles demise of Ananth Kumar
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu condoled the demise of Union Minister Ananth Kumar, saying he was a “dedicated statesman.” Kumar, 59, died at a private hospital in Bengaluru in the early hours of Monday after battling lung cancer for several months.
In a tweet, the Vice President Secretariat quoted Naidu as describing Kumar as a “colleague for years together, from students’ movement to Parliament”
“Shocked to learn about the sad demise of the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Anant Kumar. He has been a colleague of mine for years together, from students’ movement to Parliament. He was a dedicated statesman,” the Vice President said.
Lost a friend, says Kumaraswamy
Condoling Kumar’s death Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said, he has lost a great friend.
“Our families had a friendship beyond politics. He always valued and gave priority to friendship. I have lost a great friend in his death, Kumaraswamy said in a statement.
Describing him as a value-based politician , who made significant contribution to the country as an MP and Union Minister, the Chief Minister said, his pro people attitude and activities had made him the “apple of the eye of Bengalurians“.
Kumaraswamy will directly arrive to the National College Ground from Mysuru Monday and will pay his last respects to the departed leader, the Chief Minister’s Office said
Seer of Siddaganga mutt, Siddalingaswamy has condoled the death of H.N. Ananth Kumar. Speaking to the reporters on the premises of Siddaganga mutt in Tumakuru, Siddalingswamy said that he was strong voice of the state in Delhi. "It is a great loss to the state and the country," he added.
University examination postponed
Vice-chancellor of Tumkur University, Prof .Y.S.Siddegowda has that the examination which was to be held on Monday has been postponed. The examination of the subjects which was scheduled for Monday will be conducted after November 20th.
Bangalore University too has postponed all practical and internal assessment exams to tomorrow. Also the counselling for MBA seats, which was was scheduled for today has been postponed.
All examinations in technical education department have been postponed. The Vice Chancellors have been directed to declare holiday today under the Negotiable Instrument Act.
Ananth Kumar was battling lung cancer
According to the hospital, Ananth Kumar was diagnosed with lung cancer at an advanced stage in June. He underwent initial treatment in Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital and Research Centre and then went to the US for further treatment. He returned 25 days ago and continued treatment in the hospital.
Hospital Managing Trustee B N Srinath told The Hindu that he battled cancer fiercely, however, the infection had spread to other organs and he succumbed to the disease.
His initial symptoms began with bouts of coughing in April. The doctor recalled how Mr Ananthkumar was coughing when he was translating the Prime Minister”s speech during the BJP”s rally on national college grounds in April. “He was very active during the assembly elections and for him his work and responsibilities were of more importance than his health,” the doctor said.
Relatives and friends pay their last respects to Union Minster H.N. Ananth Kumar at his residence at Basavanagudi in Bengaluru on Monday.
The mortal remains of Ananth Kumar will be kept for public viewing at National College Grounds, Basavanagudi at 11 am and he will be cremated tomorrow.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to pay his respects and participate in the funeral.
Friends and relatives have started visiting Ananth Kumar's residence in in Bengaluru. B.S. Yeddyurappa was among the early visitors.
Former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa pays his last respects to Union Minster H.N. Ananth Kumar at his residence at Basavanagudi in Bengaluru on Monday.
Governor V.V. Vala and former DCM R Ashok too visited Ananth Kumar's residence.
Karnataka declares three-day mourning
The Karnataka government has declared a three- day state mourning till November 14 as a mark of respect to Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, who died in the early hours of Monday.
The State government has also declared a holiday on Monday as a mark of respect to Kumar.
A government notification said, during state mourning there would be no official programmes.
The national flag would fly at half mast atop all government buildings, it said.
Only Karnataka leader to make a mark in BJP’s central politics
The 59-year-old Ananth Kumar, who died on the earlier hours of Monday, was the only politician from Karnataka who could make it big in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Central political scape at a very young age.
In fact, he was the youngest minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Cabinet when he got the ministerial opportunity for the first time in 1998. He held various prominent portfolios such as Civil Aviation, Tourism, Sports & Youth Affairs, Culture, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation.
Ananth Kumar was a great asset to BJP, says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar at the BJP parliamentary party meeting. File photo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday condoled the demise of senior BJP leader and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar.
“Extremely saddened by the passing away of my valued colleague and friend, Shri Ananth Kumar Ji. He was a remarkable leader, who entered public life at a young age and went on to serve society with utmost diligence and compassion. He will always be remembered for his good work,” Modi tweeted.
Describing Kumar as an able administrator, the Prime Minister said he was and was a great asset to the BJP.
“He worked hard to strengthen the party in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru and surrounding areas. He was always accessible to his constituents,” Modi said.
“I spoke to his wife, Dr. Tejaswini Ji and expressed condolences on the passing away of Shri Ananth Kumar Ji. My thoughts are with his entire family, friends and supporters in this hour of grief and sadness. Om Shanti,” he said.
“He served the nation and organisation with unparalleled zeal and dedication. Ananth ji worked tirelessly to strengthen the BJP in the state of Karnataka. He was a remarkable administrator who served various ministerial portfolios. His passing away has left a void in the BJP and Indian polity that can not be filled soon,” BJP president Amit Shah tweeted.
In his tweet, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Kumar was a seasoned parliamentarian who served the nation in several capacities and whose passion and devotion for the welfare of people was commendable.
